DONOHUE TO GOV. PATERSON: STOP CRAZY TALK

Albany, N.Y.--  In a formal statement released today, CSEA President Danny Donohue responds to yet another call for layoffs of the state workforce.

Donohue said, "Governor Paterson knows full well that he has a binding agreement with CSEA that has been upheld by the courts precluding layoffs before 2011. He should also know that talk of layoffs under these circumstances is counterproductive, impractical and bad for New Yorkers all around. They may also constitute bad faith bargaining.

It is also important to note that the governor continues to stretch credibility when he insists the state work force must be reduced while his administration refuses to target positions for downsizing through the early retirement incentives. The fact is that the state work force is already stretched too thin to adequately do the job. The governor can't have it both ways.

CSEA has tried repeatedly to work constructively with the Paterson administration, but its continuing assault on the state work force undermines the very basis of good labor-management relations. All New Yorkers would be better served if Governor Paterson would stop his inflammatory public statements and instead work with the legislature and other parties to solve the state's challenges."